The Catholic Defender: The Eucharist Rings Out Thanksgiving throughout our Land and beyond.

The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving.

The first American Thanksgiving was actually celebrated on September 8, 1565 in St. Augustine, Florida. 

Mother Mary's Birthday, our Patron of the Americas! A patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a form of spiritual protection attributed to Mary, mother of Jesus, Pray for America the Rosary

The Native Americans and Spanish settlers held a feast and the Holy Mass was offered.

A second similar "Thanksgiving" celebration occurred on American soil on April 30, 1598 in Texas when Don Juan de Oñate declared a day of Thanksgiving to be commemorated by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The Catholic origins of Thanksgiving don't stop there. Squanto, the beloved hero of Thanksgiving, was the Native American man who mediated between the Puritan Pilgrims and the Native Americans.

Squanto had been enslaved by the English but he was freed by Spanish Franciscans. Squanto thus received baptism and became a Catholic. So it was a baptized Catholic Native American who orchestrated what became known as Thanksgiving.

is that the truly "First Thanksgiving" celebration occurred on American soil on April 30, 1598 in Texas when Don Juan de Oñate declared a day of Thanksgiving to be commemorated by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother. Amen.

And you will say on that day: give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; Among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. Sing praise to the LORD for he has done glorious things; let this be known throughout all the earth.  Isaiah 12:4-5